The News Agents - USA

The plan to taken down Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, was months in the making. And yet, when it did finally happen, it not only took Caracas by surprise but even Washington was stunned by the speed of the incursion. What does the operation in Venezuela tell us about how Trump might be planning to take over other territories? Why has he got his eyes on oil tanks, and is he prepared to go battle with Putin? We speak to The Crisis Room's Marc Polymeropoulos.Later, Tim Walz has ended his campaign to run for Minnesota governor after ongoing fraud accusations became the focus of Republicans. Are fraud claims a new effective weapon for MAGA to attack the Democrats?The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

If you love The News Agents USA, then we think you'll love The Ex Files with Christiane Amanpour, where she and her ex-husband Jamie Rubin - a former US State Department official - unpack today’s defining global crises. Drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones and grilling world leaders, they explain how we ended up where we are – and where we might be going.In this episode they discuss why Trump thinks he can force Ukraine to accept a 'surrender document' that hands Putin almost everything he wants. Plus Trump and Mamdani's first meeting in the Oval Office and how tech bros have muscled their way into US politics.Listen to Christiane Amanpour Presents The Ex Files with Jamie Rubin at globalplayer.com

Trump's inner circle may be wondering this week why they gave Vanity Fair exclusive access and close up photos for the magazine. The portrait is unflattering to say the least. And highly revelatory. Will it change how Trump sees those around him? And why is the MAGA aesthetic so central to the brand?Also - Trump speaks to the nation about the economy. Why’s he had to make up all his figures?The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Affordability is the word that Zohran Mamdani made the centre of his New York mayoral campaign after watching the Democrats lose so badly in 2024. But now it’s the Republicans and President Trump that have to convince voters the economy is going in the right direction. And 70 percent of them no longer trust Trump to get it right. What does this mean for the midterms? Later, why the Supreme Court could be about to hand Trump the power he craves to fire whoever he fancies. We talk to Slate' s Mark Joseph Stern.The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The story of the affair between journalist Olivia Nuzzi and Health Secretary RFK Junior has been called the least important and most important story of our times. What does it tell us about MAGA culture, journalistic ethics and the power of click bait versus deep dive investigation? Why is America so obsessed with her story? Later, has a leaked recording of Pete Hegseth, Secretary of WAR, opened him up to accusations of war crimes? And what happens to those who speak out against Trump's extra judicial killings?The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/